Science cities surge ahead during 13th Five-Year Plan
As Beijing accelerates to become a sci-tech innovation center of global significance, the capital’s three specialized science cities have continued to grow and develop during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).
Located in Beijing’s Haidian district, Zhongguancun Science City is a pilot zone for emerging industries, institutional innovation and the commercialization of scientific research.
In 2020, the revenue of high-tech companies in the science city was estimated at more than 3 trillion yuan ($463.74 billion). The spending on research and development accounted for 10 percent of the district’s GDP, according to Shu Bilei, an official at the administrative committee of the science city.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the science city greatly progressed on the back of its high-quality development, Shu said.
Boasting plentiful technology and innovation resources, the science city plays an active role in Haidian district’s economic growth.
According to Shu, the district’s GDP increased from 503.6 billion yuan in 2016 to 792.6 billion yuan in 2019. Haidian’s GDP has ranked top of all Beijing districts for four consecutive years.
In the first three quarters of 2020, Haidian district’s GDP increased 4.6 percent year-on-year, and its economic output accounted for 24 percent of Beijing’s total.
Over the past five years, the science city has cooperated with a new type of R&D institute, such as the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences and the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, to implement the layout of fundamental frontier research.
In addition, it has launched a scientist fund, valued at 2.8 billion yuan, as part of the effort to promote the commercialization of research achievements.
With advantages in industrial systems, the science city has made marked achievements in developing high-tech and other advanced industries focused on information, healthcare, science and technology services, and advanced manufacturing, Shu said.
The information industry accounts for 40 percent of the total economic output of Haidian district, and science and technology services and the financial sector account for 18 percent and 12 percent, respectively.
Another major hub for Beijing’s science and technology development is Huairou Science City. It is constructing infrastructure and platforms with global influence for scientific research, said Wu Jianmin, deputy director of the administrative committee of the science city.
Construction on a total of 29 scientific infrastructures and platforms began during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. Five of them are national major science facilities and 24 are R&D platforms, according to Wu.
Among them, a national major facility, a project for installing equipment for laboratories in extreme conditions, was put into operation in the science city in October 2020, according to Wu.
“The 29 facilities will become a crucial part of Beijing’s efforts to develop technologies in line with national strategies,” Wu said.
Huairou Science City has developed these facilities by following the plan for construction, operation, project application and resource reservation, and will continue to promote the progress in the next five years, he added.
Developed as an enterprise-led technological innovation hub, Future Science City in the city’s Changping district has expanded its boundary to support more scientific innovation over the past five years.
Its planned area has expanded to 170.6 square kilometers, 16 times more than it was when it was established in 2009, according to local officials.
Over the past five years, Future Science City has developed more innovation resources and established an improved innovation ecology, said Jin Xin, an official of the administrative committee of the science city.
It has developed a new pattern for industries such as new energy, life sciences and healthcare and college education in a bid to mobilize technology innovation resources.
“In the past, innovation in the science city generally relied on enterprises,” Jin said. “Now it has more innovative driving forces including colleges and institutes … gradually forming an innovation ecology integrating giant companies, small and medium-sized businesses, public service platforms and colleges.”